Weather Glossary

Our weather glossary breaks down complex weather and climate terms in an easy-to-understand way.

What is an Atmospheric River?
Get ready for rain (and snow in the winter)

March 8, 2024
What are Snow Squalls?
These ‘mini-blizzards’ can bring everything to an abrupt standstill, and end just as quick

November 27, 2023
What is the RealFeel Temperature?
Explaining AccuWeather’s proprietary heat stress formula

May 8, 2023
What is a Superbloom?
Western deserts are suddenly awash in color. Here’s the science behind this rare display

April 22, 2023
What is Sleet?
When it’s too warm to snow, and too cold to rain, sleet is often the result

December 24, 2022
The Polar Vortex: Why Winter’s About to Get Extremely Cold
Or, why Winter 2020-21 was so crazy for many in the US

December 24, 2022
What is a Nor’easter?
These winter events are some of the Northeast’s largest snowstorms

December 17, 2022
Sleet vs Freezing Rain vs Hail
Explaining the differences between these winter and summer weather events

November 11, 2022
What is Freezing Rain?
This dangerous wintertime phenomenon, explained

November 15, 2021
What is a Blizzard?
How winter’s most severe storms form, and why you should take them seriously

November 11, 2021